Longevity and fidelity are harder and harder to come by these days. We glorify the fast-paced instant gratification of an always changing world.

Let's reclaim the patient, long-term, gut-it-out, in-for-the-long-haul persistence that most of life requires.

Anyone can do something for a day. Try doing something day after day for 60 years.

Last Sunday, I was honored to participate in the renewal of vows for my dear friend and colleague, Ed Dubberke, and his wife Joan. They walked to the front of the chapel, arm in arm, just as they had 60 years ago. They repeated their vows to one another . . . "in sickness and in health . . . until death parts us." And they asked all in attendance to join them in praising God.

Longevity and fidelity in marriage require the following:

We all get annoyed with one another, so marriage requires patience.At times we hurt each other, so marriage requires forgiveness.We are tempted, so marriage requires accountability.We mostly don't know what we're doing, so marriage requires mentors.An oak tree takes years to reach maturity, so marriage requires time.It's easier to give in or check out, so marriage requires persistence.We're not sure what will happen tomorrow or next year, so marriage requires faith.Life is serious, so marriage requires humor. We fail . . . often . . . so marriage requires grace.We could never do this marriage thing alone, so it requires the assistance of the Author, the One who designed this beautifully complex relationship.

In our work, family, marriage, friendships, neighborhoods, churches - don't be discouraged by one bad day, month, or year. You're in it for the long haul. Because you believe in the God of longevity and fidelity.